Rita was employed as a textile worker for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Griswold. Rita enjoyed traveling, gardening and puzzles. Most of all, however, she loved to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Rita was predeceased by her brother, Norman "Bobby" Topping.

Family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 24, 201, at Leffler Funeral Home, 30 N. Main St., Jewett City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at St. Mary's Church, Jewett City. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to a
. In addition, the family requests that a good deed be done in Rita's memory.